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Journal of International Business Studies Vol. 34 No. 6 2003

MNC knowledge transfer, subsidiary absorptive capacity, and HRM

Dana Minbaeva1; Torben Pedersen1; Ida Björkman2; Carl F. Fey3,4; H J Park5

1 Copenhagen Business School · 2 Asia Centre · 3 Stockholm School of Economics · 4 Stockholm School of Economics in Russia · 5 Cornell University

open access

Abstract

Based on a sample of 169 subsidiaries of multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in the USA, Russia, and Finland, this paper investigates the relationship between MNC subsidiary human resource management (HRM) practices, absorptive capacity, and knowledge transfer. First, we examine the relationship between the application of specific HRM practices and the level of the absorptive capacity. Second, we suggest that absorptive capacity should be conceptualized as being comprised of both employees' ability and motivation. Further, results indicate that both ability and motivation (absorptive capacity) are needed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from other parts of the MNC.

DOI
10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400056
Volume
34
Issue
6
Pages
586-599
Language
en
Sources
ris:jibs.ris crossref openalex

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